Superman's Cinematic Flight: No CGI, Confirms James Gunn

DC Studios co-chief James Gunn addresses online criticism regarding Superman's facial expression during a flight sequence in a recently released TV spot.

A new 30-second promotional video features previously unseen footage: Lex Luthor exiting a helicopter in a snowy environment, potentially searching for the Fortress of Solitude, and Superman performing a barrel roll during high-speed flight over an icy landscape.

The scene sparked online discussion, with some viewers commenting on Superman's seemingly unnatural facial stillness while his hair and cape are moving dynamically. Some attributed this to CGI imperfections. However, Gunn clarified on Threads that the shot contains no CGI on Superman's face, attributing the effect to the close-up wide-angle lens used. He confirmed that both the Svalbard location (the Norwegian archipelago where filming took place) and actor David Corenswet are entirely real.

The debate persists, with comparisons being drawn to the flight sequence of Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, also directed by Gunn. Despite the controversy surrounding this brief clip, anticipation for the Superman film remains high. The film, the first in the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, is slated for release on July 11, 2025. Further information is available on IGN, including details on the DC heroes and villains featured, Gunn's comments on Krypto's on-screen portrayal, and the film's thematic focus on hope.